Thibodaux, La. – The Central Arkansas baseball team returned to Southland Conference action on Friday night, taking on the Nicholls State Colonels in Thibodaux, Louisiana. The Colonels took an early lead and the Bears were unable to rally, falling 4-0.
Nicholls State (18-18, 9-4 SLC) got to work early in the game, taking a 1-0 lead on a hit and a Central Arkansas (17-14, 6-7 SLC) error in the bottom of the first. Second baseman Philip Lyons opened the inning by reaching on an error before being sacrificed over to second base. After moving to third on a ground out, Lyons came in to score on a single off the bat of designated hitter Justin Smith.
The Colonels added a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to push the lead to 3-0. Centerfielder Justin Holt opened the inning with a bunt base hit and moved into scoring position on a ground out to second before coming in to score on a single up the middle from shortstop Leo Vargas. Right fielder Keith Cormier then laced a double to right field to plate Vargas.
Nicholls added another insurance run in the eighth inning, which Vargas got started with a double to left field. He then stole third and came in to score on a throwing error.
Central Arkansas got a single up the middle form pinch hitter Lee Raley in the top of the ninth, but the Bears unable to bring him in.
Centerfielder Doug Votolato led the Central Arkansas offense, going two-for-four with a pair of singles and a stolen base, while Raley, second baseman Chris Townsend, third baseman Nate Ferrell, and right fielder Carson Dowdle each collected a single.
Taylor Bird (5-2) earned the win for Nicholls, holding the Bears to four hits and four walks while striking out eight over seven innings. Stuart Holmes threw the final two innings, allowing a pair of hits and striking out five.
Bryce Biggerstaff (2-4) took the loss for Central Arkansas, surrendering three runs on five hits and two walks over seven innings of work. He struck out two. Bo Stitch surrendered a double to the only batter he faced in the eighth, and Jon Rand gave up a hit while striking out two in the inning.
The Bears and Colonels will return to the field at 6:00 P.M. on Saturday.
